In the small western Tennessee town of Covington sits a landmark that has been part of the community for 112 years – the independent grocery store, Naifeh’s Cash Saver. Owner Judson William Oney Naifeh, is a fourth-generation grocer. His great-grandfather immigrated from Beirut, Lebanon, before starting a trading business under a different name. His grandfather […]
Category: Market Profile
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, West
UFIA: Inflation In Intermountain West Among Highest In Country
While Utah’s economy remains strong, there are signs it may be slowing with rising interest rates and inflation, according to Dave Davis, president and chief legal officer for the Utah Food Industry Association. The state’s unemployment rate of 2 percent is about 1.5 percent lower than the national average, but Davis said workforce continues to […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
MGA’s Shaul Hopes Industry Learns From Supply Chain Reaction
Dan Shaul, executive director of the Missouri Grocers Association, and his members are dealing with many of the same issues that consistently trouble the industry nationwide, with supply chain challenges and labor shortages atop the list. These issues have been exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are just symptoms of each other, according to […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Retailers In Kentucky Face ‘Slow And Sluggish’ Economy
Supply chain continues to be a challenge for Kentucky grocers, as they are having difficulty getting products to put on the shelves. There also are related issues such as the drought and late planting due to flood, said Steve McClain, director of communications and public affairs for the Kentucky Grocers and Convenience Store Association. “We […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, National
Briefing Examines What’s Responsible For Rise In Grocery Prices
Why are food costs higher today than two years ago? That was the question addressed Aug. 10 by FMI – The Food Industry Association as it hosted an online briefing, “Peering Inside Food Inflation’s Black Box.” The speakers were Andrew Harig, VP of tax trade, sustainability and policy development for FMI; and Ricky Volpe, associate […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest
RGA Trumpets Toppling Of Food Sales Tax In Kansas
The Retail Grocers Association of Greater Kansas City is celebrating a victory in the Kansas Legislature – the reduction and eventual elimination of the state’s food sales tax. Since 1960, the state has had one of the highest rates in the country. It currently sits at 6.5 percent, according to Jon McCormick, president and CEO […]
Posted inPackaging News, Market Profile, West
New Law Requires Retailers To Reduce Single-Use Plastics
The California Grocers Association is keeping its eye on two laws that could change the way retailers conduct business and how businesses outside of the state work with the retailers. Senate Bill 54, or the Plastic Pollution Producer Responsibility Act, is the first of the measures. It took effect June 30 and requires retailers to decrease […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Setback Leaves TGCSA Feeling ‘Liberated To Pursue Other Ideas’
“Whenever we’d proposed any changes…they said, ‘No, we had a deal and this would break the deal.’ Well, now they came along and broke the deal,” said Rob Ikard, president and CEO of the Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association. Ikard’s remarks were in reference to recent political maneuvering that has eliminated case discounts on […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southwest
Supply Remains Biggest Issue For Goode’s Cash Saver Stores
Getting consistent supply remains one of the biggest COVID-19 pandemic-related challenges faced by Steve Goode, owner of Arkansas-based Goode Foods LLC dba Goode’s Cash Saver. Goode, who also is president of the Arkansas Grocers & Retail Merchants Association, said the supply issue has improved since AWG moved his company from its Southaven to Springfield distribution […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Northeast
Dave’s Fresh Marketplace Remains True To Its Roots
From its humble beginnings as a roadside produce stand in Warwick to 10 grocery store locations across several cities, Dave’s Fresh Marketplace has been serving Rhode Island since 1969. The state’s largest locally owned and operated independent grocery, the company is pleased with the recent reopening of its Dave’s West Shore location in Warwick, near […]
Posted inPackaging News, Association News, Market Profile, Northeast
Rhode Island Retailers Readying For Reusable Bag Requirement
Retailers in Rhode Island are preparing for a major change in disposable plastics in the state. On May 27, Gov. Daniel McKee signed the Plastic Waste Reduction Act, according to a post on the Rhode Island Food Dealers Association’s website. The act will take effect one year after the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management issues […]
Posted inDeli News, Feature, Market Profile, Southwest
Van’s Kitchen Navigates Release Of New Product During Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, companies had to figure out how to connect remotely, network in new ways and attempt to conduct business during an unprecedented time. Van’s Kitchen, based out of Dallas, Texas, was among the many businesses that had to quickly adjust. The 36-year-old company is a minority-, women- and family-owned and -operated business. Theresa […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Feature, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, Southwest
Snowfox, YO! Finds Success With Sushi In Supermarkets
The Shelby Report recently caught up with Richard Hodgson, group CEO of Snowfox Group, and Stacy Kwon, president of Snowfox | JFE Franchising, to chat about its new sushi products. The two companies merged in 2019. The Snowfox Group includes Snowfox (JFE), YO!, Bento and Taiko. Snowfox, based in Houston, Texas, is one of the […]
Posted inBakery News, Amazon Fresh, Feature, Market Profile, Southwest, Whole Foods
Einstein Brothers Bagels Expanding Into Retail Locations
Einstein Brothers Bagels found success in its restaurant concept, with more than 1,000 across the country. Now, it is looking to expand into retail to give its customers better access to the brand. Andrew Heald, director of sales for the Lakewood, Colorado-based company, recently sat down with The Shelby Report to share some of the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southwest
As AGRMA Can Attest, Independents In Arkansas ‘Alive And Well’
The independent grocer is “alive and well” in Arkansas, according to Steve Goode, president of the Arkansas Grocers & Retail Merchants Association. Recent years have shown that “independent retailers have the ability to adapt and overcome almost any situation.” He said independents were able to overcome COVID, supply and transportation issues in the past three […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Panel Discusses Labor Challenges In Today’s Job Market
How do grocers attract employees and future leaders in today’s challenging job market? Those were the among the topics of a panel discussion at the recent Georgia Food Industry Association convention in Orlando, Florida. The inspiration for the panel came from a presentation at an NGA board meeting. GFIA President Kathy Kuzava listened to economist […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Southeast
GFIA Posts Record Attendance For Popular Annual Conference
More than 900 people attended the recent Georgia Food Industry Association convention, held in Orlando, Florida. The majority of those were retailers, wholesalers and suppliers, according to GFIA President Kathy Kuzava. She cited several highlights of the annual conference: Teross Young, VP of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs for Ahold Delhaize USA, received GFIA’s 2022 […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Midwest
Hometown Foods Serving Waterloo, Tiny Town Of Traer
Jill and Doug Eilderts both had backgrounds in the grocery industry before deciding to buy their first Hometown Foods store in Waterloo, Iowa, in May 2019. In September 2020, they acquired a second store in nearby Traer. Jill Eilderts has worked at the Waterloo store for 35 years, starting off as a cashier when she […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Opportunity Abounds In Iowa, Where Economy Is On Rise
Iowa is continuing to rebound from the 2020 pandemic, ranking No. 1 for opportunity and No. 12 overall in 2022 by The U.S. News and World Report, according to Michelle Hurd, president of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association. During its March meeting, the Revenue Estimating Conference projected a 4.2 percent growth in Iowa for fiscal […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Measure Aids Online Market Transparency In Louisiana
The Louisiana Retailers Association led an initiative this year to pass Act 316, legislation that will make it more difficult for thieves to sell stolen goods online. According to Jessica Elliott, executive director of the LRA, the measure will increase online marketplace transparency for consumers and ensure verification of high-volume online sellers. “Grocers have made significant […]